Brothers in Music: The AR Rahman Edition

In this episode, we are joined by political scientist Apurva Bamezai to discuss the extraordinary afterlife of A. R. Rahman’s music in the recent Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) protests. Led largely by Gen Z, these protests have taken India by storm and forced the resignation of a sitting government minister. We discuss the many Rahman songs that have found new life through the protests and gone viral again, drawing from films as varied as Yuva, Swades, Rang De Basanti, and Rockstar. We t...

1999 is a turning point year for A. R. Rahman—not just in output, but in sound, ambition, and the scale of collaboration. In this episode of Brothers in Music: The A. R. Rahman Edition, we dive deep into four albums that capture Rahman at his most expansive and experimental: Takshak, Mudhalvan, Kadhalar Dhinam, and Sangamam. Joining us is Arvind Murali—jazz bassist, music arranger, podcast host, and someone who encountered Rahman and his close collaborators professionally in the late 1990s. ...

We’re still in 1998. But this time, we turn to 1947 Earth. If Dil Se was all motion and intensity, this album does the opposite. It slows us down. It asks us to sit with history, with fracture, and with the quiet that follows violence. 1947 Earth is one of Rahman’s most deliberate soundtracks: a truly complete album. Every song belongs to the same emotional world. Nothing spills over. The music doesn’t decorate the film; it carries it. Through restraint, repetition, and silence, Rahman builds...

Welcome back to Brothers in Music: The A. R. Rahman Edition. We’re in 1998 — the year Dil Se burst into our lives, our cassette players, and our television screens. The image is still impossible to forget: Shah Rukh Khan dancing atop a moving train to Chaiyya Chaiyya, while Rahman’s music thundered across the country. For many, Dil Se isn’t just another Rahman album — it’s the Rahman album. Every track is a classic, every song remembered and reinterpreted even twenty-seven years later....

In 1997, as India marked fifty years of independence, A. R. Rahman released Vande Mataram—an album unlike anything before or since. Fresh, fearless, and unforgettable, it was a cultural moment as much as a musical one. The sound was new, the concept bold, the music nothing short of phenomenal. It wasn’t just an album; it was an event that captured the imagination of a generation. In this episode, we revisit Vande Mataram. We break down the songs the way we always do—listening closely to Rahma...

Welcome back to Brothers in Music: The A R Rahman Edition. We’re still in 1997, and in this episode, we continue to be joined by Sowmiya Ashok (@sowmiyashok on Twitter/@sowmiyashok.writes on Insta). We’re taking on two albums that couldn’t be more different—Iruvar and Ratchagan. Iruvar is, in many ways, a masterpiece. Arguably Mani Ratnam’s greatest film, and one of Rahman’s most elegant, classically rooted soundtracks. It’s an album of restraint and richness, where each song feels like...

Welcome back to Brothers in Music: The A R Rahman Edition. It’s 1997, and as always, we’re starting you off right in the thick of it—no prelude, no buildup. Just the music, the conversation, and the joy of revisiting Rahman’s incredible journey. This episode, we’re joined by journalist and writer Sowmiya Ashok (@sowmiyashok on Twitter/@sowmiyashok.writes on Insta). In Part 1, we tackle two albums that sit at completely different ends of the Rahman spectrum—Minsara Kanavu (or Sapna...

Welcome back to "Brothers in Music: The A R Rahman Edition"—Season 2 is here, and we're diving straight into 1996! No formalities, no prelude—just you, right in the middle of our conversation, as if you’re sitting with us. 1996 was another groundbreaking year for Rahman, one that saw him experiment, redefine genres, and push boundaries in ways only he could. This year gave us an eclectic mix of soundtracks—some instantly iconic, others quietly influential. We start with Love Birds, an album u...

Welcome back to "Brothers in Music: The A R Rahman Edition" as we dive headfirst into the second half of our exploration of 1995. In Part 2 of our journey through this iconic year, we drop you directly into the middle of our conversation—no prelude, no formalities. It’s as if you’re right there with us, experiencing the discussion in real-time. We kick things off by diving deeper into the Rangeela soundtrack, where we explore the playful and spirited track "Kya Karein Kya Na Karein." This son...

Welcome back to "Brothers in Music: The A R Rahman Edition" as we set our sights on 1995, yet another remarkable year in our musical time machine. In Part 1, we dive into Rahman's groundbreaking debut in Bollywood - Rangeela. Rangeela, with its vibrant and innovative tracks, showcased his unique ability to blend traditional Indian music with contemporary sounds. The film's music, which includes hits like "Hai Rama" and "Rangeela Re," remains a favorite among fans and critics alike. We a...

Step into the time machine once again with us on "Brothers in Music: The A R Rahman Edition" as we continue our journey back to the vibrant musical landscape of A R Rahman's 1994. In Part 1, we discussed Kaadhalan and May Maadham. In Part 2, we explore three more Tamil gems: Duet, Karuthamma and Pavithra. Duet, suffused with the imprint of the saxophone legend Kadri Gopalnath, marked a change in Rahman's musical output: it saw the birth of experimental, unstructured Rahman....

Join us on "Brothers in Music: The A R Rahman Edition" as we dial back the clock to 1994—another year that saw A R Rahman compose and produce music like nothing heard before. It was the year when cinema halls echoed with the mesmerizing soundtracks of Kadhalan, May Madham, Duet, Pavithra, and Karuththamma in Tamil, along with Super Police and Gangmaster in Telugu. In Part 1, we explore May Madham and Kadhalan. In this nostalgic journey, we are joined by the multifaceted Anand Kris...

Join us in this episode as we travel back in time to 1993, a pivotal year in A.R. Rahman's career, solidifying his genius in the world of Indian film music. This year marked a continuation of the magic he created with 'Roja', showcasing his versatility and innovation. We delve into some of his most iconic soundtracks of that era, including 'Thiruda Thiruda', 'Gentleman', 'Pudhiya Mugam', 'Uzhavan', 'Vandicholai Chinraasu', 'Kizhakku Cheemayile', and 'Pudhiya Mannargal'. Our exploration takes ...

In our debut episode, we journey back to 1992, the breakthrough year of A R Rahman. We'll explore his early years leading to this pivotal moment, and delve into the unforgettable experience of hearing 'Roja' for the first time as children, explore musical elements of the various tracks and briefly go over his other release of the year, the Malayalam movie 'Yodha'. Join us as we relive the year that changed how Indian film music sounded forever. Show Notes: Deen Isal Maalai: https://www...